Bowling Green State University
Detroit Mercy
Titans Edge Women's Basketball, 67-62
November 20, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 20, 2001
DETROIT, Mich. - The University of Detroit Mercy took advantage of cold BGSU shooting and the absence of All-MAC performer Francine Miller for most of the contest to post a 67-62 victory over the Falcons Tuesday night (Nov. 20) in Calihan Hall.
Both the host Titans and the Falcons are now 1-1 on the young season.
The Falcons held the hosts to just 17.5 percent shooting in the first half (7-of-40), but led the Titans by just four points at the break. UDM stayed in the contest mainly by virtue of offensive rebounding, and by 14 first-half fouls whistled on the Falcons. Detroit made 13 free throws in 20 attempts, while BGSU went 6-of-9 from the stripe in the first half.
UDM enjoyed a 51-44 rebounding advantage for the game, including a 32-23 margin in the first half. The Titans had a whopping 18 offensive boards in the first 20 minutes en route to 23 on the night.
Shots began to drop through the net for the Titans in the second half, while BGSU struggled from the field. The Falcons scored the first basket of the stanza to take a 36-30 lead, but UDM than went on a 20-4 run over the next seven minutes to take a 50-40 lead.
BGSU got as close as three points on several occasions, the last on a Sakima Smith jumper with 1:14 left. The Falcon defense held Detroit without a good look on the ensuing possession, and with the shot clock winding down, junior Kim Griech made one of her career-high six steals on the night.
BGSU took the ball downcourt and got two shots off, but neither would drop through the hoop. Detroit grabbed the rebound, and UDM's Michelle James was fouled and made one free throw. She would make another charity toss with less than a second left.
For the Falcons, sophomore Kelly Kapferer posted career-bests with 15 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Smith, a freshman, added 13 points and eight rebounds (also off the bench), while Greich also had 13.
BGSU's other freshman, Tene Lewis, saw the first playing time of her young career, and had two points on a driving layup. She also had a steal in eight minutes of action.
The Falcons got 32 points from the bench players on the night, to the Titans' 10. But, the UDM starters fared well, as Molly Peterman had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Randee Henry and James had 18 and 16 points, respectively. Peterman added six assists and five steals.
"Kelly had a great first half," said BGSU Coach Curt Miller. They took her away a little bit in the second half, but the bench, led by Kelly and Sakima did a great job."
BGSU shot 39.4 percent in the first half, but just 27.3 percent from the field in the second half, to the Titans 50.0 percent.
Francine Miller left the game after just four minutes after injuring her knee. The extent of that injury is yet to be determined.
BGSU will spend the Thanksgiving weekend in the state of Colorado, heading to Boulder for the Coors Classic. The Falcons will face the host school, nationally-ranked Colorado, in Friday action (Nov. 23). The next night, BGSU will meet either Houston or Yale.
